National Careers Week is a time to celebrate the importance of careers education in helping young people face the future with confidence, writes Oli de Botton, CEO, The Careers & Enterprise Company. It highlights the range of opportunities available, and the steps students can take to grasp them. With National Apprenticeship Week just gone and Scottish Apprenticeship Week upon us, it is worth reflecting on how we can marry the power of modern career support with the life-changing opportunities offered by vocational and technical routes to help every young person take their best next step. Awareness of skills pathways has increased in recent years, with 80% of Year 11 students aware of apprenticeships, almost on a par with A-level (84%).
However, awareness doesn’t always lead to uptake. Research from The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) identifies a range of key barriers, including the availability of roles in desired sectors. Modern careers education—with technical routes front and centre—can make a difference. Young people begin forming career perceptions as early as seven, often influenced by gender and class stereotypes.
Students who receive strong career guidance are 86% less likely to be unemployed or NEET
Exposing primary school students to diverse careers through employer interactions and curriculum links can broaden their horizons. In secondary school, quality careers support builds on these early experiences, helping students explore concrete next steps, including the pathways to work. Evidence shows that students who receive strong career guidance are 86% less likely to be unemployed or NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and more likely to take up an apprenticeship (itself an important protective factor against economic inactivity.)
Employers emphasise the value of workplace behaviours like initiative, problem-solving, and teamwork when recruiting young talent. Young people recognise this too, expressing a desire for more support in skill development—particularly in areas like speaking and listening (where they feel less confident according to our recent survey of over 230,000 young people). Given the difficulties of skill development in school, innovation is critical to closing the gap. A new project, in partnership with global technology company Salesforce, is testing what support works best to break down barriers to apprenticeships and encourage disadvantaged young people to take up jobs in the rapidly growing digital sector.
Work experience also has a crucial role to play. The Government’s ambition for two weeks’ worth of pre-16 work experience offers an opportunity to develop job preferences and key skills. CEC is working with partners to create meaningful work experiences that do just that. We have launched a number of pilots across the country in collaboration with Strategic Authorities, as recently seen in Liverpool City Region, and in partnership with schools and employers. Even when young people are inspired by career opportunities and have developed relevant skills, the transition from education to employment remains a critical hurdle. Those facing economic barriers are particularly vulnerable.
However, pilot studies indicate that intensive career support can help. Successful interventions often involve access to a trusted adult, personalised guidance, and exposure to relatable industry role models. As we navigate changes in the skills landscape—including the introduction of Skills England and the Growth and Skills Levy—it’s essential to recognise that high-quality careers education serves as a gateway to opportunity – an entry point to the skills system. By fostering awareness and enthusiasm for diverse career pathways, we can empower young people to take charge of their futures and thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.
Written by
Oli de Botton, CEO, The Careers & Enterprise Company.
The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) is the national body for careers education in England. Our mission is to help every young person find their best next step by supporting schools and colleges in delivering modern, high-quality careers education. CEC operates 44 Careers Hubs covering 95% of schools in England. We partner with 429 Cornerstone employers and over 4,100 business volunteers to connect students with real-world career opportunities.